Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0024530 (malaria)
 44,886 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Experimental cerebral malaria was recently found to occur in the squirrel monkey Saimiri sciureus when infected with the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. This report is concerned with the existence of spontaneous rosette formation ex vivo (infected blood samples) and in vitro (cultured parasites) between red blood cells (RBC) infected with squirrel monkey-adapted P. falciparum isolates and normal squirrel monkey RBC. Transfer of P. falciparum with high rosette formation tendencies (90-100 R+) from one donor monkey to several recipients gave rise to parasites that varied extensively in their ex vivo rosette formation capacity (4-96% R+). However, all individual parasites readily form rosettes after 24 hr of in vitro culture (60-95% R+). Host factors may be involved in the modulation of rosette formation, although it is found to occur both in splenectomized and spleen-intact animals. Cross-rosette formation is seen between parasitized human RBC and normal squirrel monkey RBC and vice versa, and rosettes formed by RBC of the two hosts are similarly affected by pH, temperature, EDTA, trypsin, as well as squirrel monkey and African human hyperimmune IgG. These characteristics of rosette formation are preserved after long-term in vitro culture in human RBC. Rosettes formed by some isolates are highly sensitive to heparin while others are not, suggesting at least two distinct mechanisms of rosette formation. This idea is also supported by the observation that specific squirrel monkey antisera to heparin-sensitive strains does not dissociate rosettes formed by a heparin-resistant strain. The results suggest that rosettes and anti-rosette formation antibodies formed by squirrel monkeys and humans exhibited similar characteristics, and that the squirrel monkey is therefore a good experimental model to study erythrocyte rosette formation and cerebral malaria.
 ...
PMID:The squirrel monkey as an experimental model for Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte rosette formation. 144 4

During the characterization of malaria vaccine candidate proteins, three metalloproteinases having a molecular mass of 220, 95 and 70 kDa were found to be co-isolated with the rhoptry-associated protein-1 (RAP-1) complex, but not with RAP-3 or gp195. These enzymes were also found in detergent extracts of saponin-lysed Plasmodium falciparum. Of nine proteinase inhibitors tested, only EDTA was found to abrogate activity. Dose-dependent curves were determined for several metal ions and cobalt was found to synergistically enhance enzyme activity. The gelatinases were immunoprecipitated with monospecific polyclonal antisera to macrophage and fibroblast gelatinase; however, these sera did not react with intracellular parasites by indirect immunofluorescence. These results indicate that the matrix metalloproteinases co-isolated with RAP-1 originate from human serum used to cultivate P. falciparum in vitro.
 ...
PMID:Three matrix metalloproteinases form a non-covalent association with the rhoptry-associated protein-1 of Plasmodium falciparum. 147 99

Controlled mechanical homogenization of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes releases parasites of a quality sufficient for studying the export of newly synthesized plasmodial proteins. Protein synthesis occurs within intact released parasites as defined by resistance of acid-insoluble incorporation of radiolabel to high levels of exogenously added EDTA, hexokinase, and RNaseA. While exogenously added ATP and erythrocyte cytosol were not essential for biosynthetic activity at levels comparable to that seen in infected erythrocytes, the addition of an extracellular ATP regenerating system (ARS) stimulated the synthesis of parasite proteins. Conversely, parasite viability and biosynthetic activity are decreased by the addition of a non-hydrolyzable ATP analogue (ATP gamma S), ADP, or ATP in the absence of a regenerating system. These data suggest a metabolic interdependence between extracellular energy metabolism and biosynthetic functions within the parasite. The export of a predominant subset of proteins was retarded in the presence of Brefeldin A, indicating the existence of a classical secretory pathway characteristic of that seen in higher eukaryotic cells. Interestingly, a Brefeldin A-insensitive component of export was also consistently observed; this may suggest the existence of an additional alternative secretory mechanism in malaria.
 ...
PMID:Synthesis and secretion of proteins by released malarial parasites. 162 Jan 61

A microhematocrit tube technique for diagnosis of human filariasis has been previously described. A system incorporating heparin, EDTA, and acridine orange into a microhematocrit tube (Quantitative Blood Count, QBC) has been commercially developed for the quantitation of blood counts and has been used for the diagnosis of malaria. We evaluated this test for its usefulness in the diagnosis of filariasis. Upon centrifugation, the parasites were concentrated in the area of the buffy coat and could be observed through the wall of the tube. The parasites were concentrated further by a plastic float that expands the buffy coat and confines the parasites to the periphery of the tube. Acridine orange stains the DNA of the parasite, and morphologic characteristics can be examined by fluorescence microscopy. The terminal and subterminal nuclei and long cephalic space of Brugia malayi, as well as the short cephalic space and caudal nuclei of Wuchereria bancrofti, were easily recognized and differentiated from each other. Microfilariae were detected in samples diluted to a level of approximately 50/ml.
 ...
PMID:Rapid diagnosis of Brugia malayi and Wuchereria bancrofti filariasis by an acridine orange/microhematocrit tube technique. 169 Jul 98

Glycoprotein (GP) IIIb (also termed GPIV or CD36) is an integral platelet membrane protein, and has been identified as a binding site for thrombospondin, collagen, and malaria-infected erythrocytes. PAS-IV is an integral membrane protein found in lactating mammary epithelial cells and capillary endothelial cells. The N-terminal sequence of PAS-IV is nearly identical to that of GPIIIb and monospecific anti-PAS-IV antibody reacts with GPIIIb, indicating that PAS-IV is structurally related to GPIIIb. In this study, human platelet GPIIIb and bovine epithelial PAS-IV were compared in terms of structural, immunologic, and functional characteristics. The two-dimensional tryptic peptide map of both intact and deglycosylated PAS-IV was highly similar but not identical to that of GPIIIb. PAS-IV and GPIIIb reacted to an equal extent with monoclonal antibodies OKM5 and OKM8 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. GPIIIb bound to surface immobilized thrombospondin (TSP) in a concentration-dependent and saturable manner, with approximately 60% reduction in binding in the presence of EDTA. PAS-IV bound to TSP with similar characteristics except that maximum binding was consistently approximately 50% of that of GPIIIb and binding was not inhibited by EDTA. GPIIIb supported adhesion of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (PRBC) in a dose-dependent manner while no significant adhesion of PRBC to PAS-IV was observed. Our data demonstrate that while epithelial PAS-IV and platelet GPIIIb are structurally and immunologically related, there are significant differences in their functional properties. Whether this result is due to different posttranslational glycosylation modifications or that PAS-IV and GPIIIb represent a family of related cell adhesive protein receptors remains to be determined.
 ...
PMID:Epithelial membrane glycoprotein PAS-IV is related to platelet glycoprotein IIIb binding to thrombospondin but not to malaria-infected erythrocytes. 171 May 15

Plasma membrane electron transport was studied in a protozoan cell, Tetrahymena pyriformis, by assaying transmembrane ferricyanide reduction and the reduction of iron compounds. The rates of ferricyanide reduction varied between 0.5 and 2.5 mumol/g dry wt. per min, with a pH optimum at 7.0-7.5. Other active non-permeable electron acceptors, with redox potentials from +360 to -125 mV, were cytochrome c, hexaammine ruthenium chloride, ferric-EDTA, ammonium ferric citrate, and indigo di-, tri- and tetrasulfonates. It was found that Tetrahymena cells can reduce external electron acceptors with redox potentials at pH 7.0 down to -125 mV. Ferricyanide stimulates ciliary action. Transmembrane ferricyanide reduction by Tetrahymena was not inhibited by such mitochondrial inhibitors as antimycin A, 2-n-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide, or potassium cyanide, but it responded to inhibitors of glycolysis. Transmembrane ferricyanide reduction by Tetrahymena appears to involve a plasma membrane electron transport chain similar to those of other animal cells. As in other cells, the transmembrane electron transport is associated with proton release which may be involved in internal pH control. The transmembrane redox system differs from that of mammalian cells in a 20-fold greater sensitivity to chloroquine and quinacrine. The Tetrahymena ferricyanide reduction is also inhibited by chlorpromazine and suramin. Sensitivity to these drugs indicates that the transplasma membrane electron transport and associated proton pumping may be a target for drugs used against malaria, Trypanosomes and other protozoa.
 ...
PMID:Chloroquine-sensitive transplasmalemma electron transport in Tetrahymena pyriformis: a hypothesis for control of parasite protozoa through transmembrane redox. 190 70

Methods were developed for the production of clinical grade malaria vaccine candidates expressed in E. coli by recombinant DNA technologies. The essential features of the purification protocol consist of (1) mechanical breakage of host cells and solubilization of the recombinant proteins in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride; (2) ammonium sulfate fractionation; (3) affinity chromatography on a Ni(2+)-chelate gel in the presence of 6 M guanidine hydrochloride; and (4) ion exchange chromatograph on a Phospho Ultrogel column in the presence of 6 M urea. The use of undesirable chemicals (PMSF, DFP, TFA, acetonitrile, etc.) was avoided rather than demonstrating their complete removal after the purification steps. Testing of chromatographic fractions for host-cell proteins and the elimination of fractions with E. coli protein content was found necessary to obtain a final product that contained less than 0.01% of host derived proteins. The recombinant proteins were renatured either from 8 M urea or from 6 M guanidine hydrochloride by increasing the pH to 10.5 in the presence of glycine and EDTA, reduction with DTT, dilution to a protein concentration below 1 mg.ml-1, and dialysis against 0.9% NaCl. The method presented here can be tailor-fit, with minor modification, for the purification of almost any recombinant protein and the final product satisfies current regulations concerning the production of clinically acceptable therapeutic products.
 ...
PMID:Preparation of clinical grade proteins produced by recombinant DNA technologies. 194 Mar 92

Thrombospondin (TS) is a modular adhesive glycoprotein that contains three domains previously implicated in the attachment of cells to TS. These include the amino-terminal heparin-binding domain, the carboxy terminal cell or platelet-binding domain, and an RGDA sequence of TS. We have characterized a mAb against human TS, designated A4.1, which inhibits the attachment of human melanoma cells (G361) to TS. The epitope for A4.1 lies within the amino terminal half of the central stalklike region of TS which is distinct from the three known cell attachment sites. This region of TS is recovered in a 50-kD peptide after chymotryptic digestion of TS in EDTA. It contains the procollagen-like domain of TS as well as three type I repeats of a 60-residue segment homologous to two malarial proteins and the complement proteins properdin, and factors C6 through C9. The purified chymotryptic fragment is an effective attachment factor for G361 cells. A4.1 blocks adhesion to the 50-kD domain, as do some sulfated glycoconjugates. RGD (and RGE) peptides and mAbs against other domains of TS are not inhibitory. Peptides (19 mers) based on the core homology sequence of the three type I repeats of TS are potent attachment factors for these cells, and this adhesion is also inhibited by sulfated glycoconjugates. A polyclonal antibody raised against one of these peptides inhibits adhesion of G361 cells to the peptides, to the 50-kD fragment and to intact TS. Thus a new cell-adhesion site has been identified in TS whose sequence is very similar to the site identified in region II of the circumsporozoite protein of malaria parasites (Rich, K. A., F. W. George IV, J. L. Law, and W. J. Martin. 1990. Science (Wash. DC) 249:1574-1577. Thus there may be a common receptor which binds TS, malarial proteins, and properdin.
 ...
PMID:The properdin-like type I repeats of human thrombospondin contain a cell attachment site. 199 54

The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the extracellular fluid volume (ECV) were determined in 5 rhesus monkeys infected with P. knowlesi in comparison with 6 control monkeys by using 51Cr-EDTA. As the disappearance curve of the radioactivity showed a close fit to a double exponential equation, the data was therefore analysed by an open 2-compartment system. Results in the present study showed that the GFR was significantly reduced in the infected group. Both V1 and V2 were also slightly but not significantly decreased which resulted in the lower ECV in monkeys infected with P. knowlesi. As the GFR was reduced much more than ECV, therefore the mean transit time of 51Cr-EDTA in the infected group was longer than that of the normal group. All other intercompartment clearance and fractional transfer rate constants were also found to be lower in the infected group. These findings indicated that there was a delay in the distribution of 51Cr-EDTA between these 2 compartments in monkeys infected with P. knowlesi malaria.
 ...
PMID:Studies on the glomerular filtration rate and extracellular fluid volume in rhesus monkeys infected with Plasmodium knowlesi. 644 Dec 66

Iron in food is classified as belonging to the haem pool, the nonhaem pool, and extraneous sources. Haem iron is derived from vegetable and animal sources with varying bioavailability. Hookworm infestation of the intestinal tract affects 450 million people in the tropics. Schistosoma mansoni caused blood loss in 7 Egyptian patients of 7.5- 25.9 ml/day which is equivalent to a daily loss of iron of .6-7.3 mg daily urinary loss of iron in 9 Egyptian patients. Trichuris trichiura infestation by whipworm is widespread in children with blood loss of 5 ml/day/worm. The etiology of anemia in children besides iron deficiency includes malaria, bacterial or viral infections, folate deficiency and sickle-cell disease. Severe infections cause profound iron-deficiency anemia in children in central American and Malaysia. Plasmodium falciparum malaria-induced anaemia in tropical Africa lowers the mean haemoglobin concentration in the population by 2 g/dI, causing profound anaemia in some. The increased risk of premature delivery, low birthweight, fetal abnormalities, and fetal death is directly related to the degree of maternal anemia. Perinatal mortality was reduced from 38 to 4% in treated anemic mothers. Mental performance was significantly lower in anemic school children and improved after they received iron. Supplements of iron, soy-protein, calcium, and vitamins given to villagers with widespread malnutrition, iron deficiency, and hookworm infestation in Colombia reduced enteric infections in children. Severe iron-deficiency anemia was treated in adults in northern Nigeria by daily in Ferastral 10 ml, which is equivalent to 500 mg of iron per day. Choloroquine, folic acid, rephenium hydroxynaphthoate, and tetrachlorethylene treat adults with severe iron deficiency from hookworm infestation in rural tropical Africa. Blood transfusion is indicated if the patient is dying of anaemia or is pregnant with a haemoglobin concentration 6 gm/dl. In South East Asia, mg per day prevented iron-deficiency anaemia in pregnancy. Field-trials on nutritional iron deficiency include an acidified milk formula plus ferrous sulphate for infants; biscuits with added bovine hemoglobin for children in Chile; sugar plus sodium ferric EDTA in Guatemala; salt with ferric orthophosphate and sodium acid sulphate in India; and Salt with ferrous sulphate plus sodium hexametaphosphate.
 ...
PMID:Iron deficiency in the tropics. 704 57


1 2 3 4 5 6 Next >>